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    Last month, Major League Vice President for On-Field Operations Frank Robinson handed out 19 suspensions to the L.A. Dodgers. The suspensions came in response to a May 16th altercation between players and fans during a game with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. 16 players and 3 coaches were “suspended for going into the stands during a fight with fans” after a fan hit and took catcher Chad Kreyter’s cap said Robinson.

    Clearly the fans were out of line. From observations of those who were involved, many of them were drunk. But basically you had two sets of grown men acting like immature boys fighting in the street. It reminded me of what Conan O’Brien had to say after watching the Little League World series last year: “It’s just like the Major League World Series, except the players are smaller and more mature.”

    From our perspective of Scripture, it’s great to tell younger men that they shouldn’t “let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set the believers an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). We need to give thanks for the incredible crop of good, young men, who are seeking after God and trying to righteously lead their young families.

“...set the believers an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity”

    On the other hand, those of us who are are older should be setting a powerful example for the younger men as well. As Paul said, “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1) and “what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, put into practice.” (Philippians 4:9) Paul wasn’t being arrogant. He wasn’t saying he had arrived at spiritual perfection, in fact, he says exactly the opposite of that (see Philippians 3:12-17). But he was showing his growth in the Lord as the Holy Spirit transformed him each day to be more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

    I can think of no greater time than now for men, young and old, to step forward to be great examples to those around them. One of the great statements of leadership reminds us how vital this solid example is to those who will follow us: “Remember your leaders: those who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:7)

    Let’s make sure as men, that the legacy we are leaving our children, those who are younger men in our circle of faith, and those around us who are watching our walk, is a legacy of character and growth. Let’s leave them footprints to follow that lead them ever closer to the example of Jesus and not to a brawl in the stands.